Senior Care - How to Provide Elderly Independence

A Career In Pediatric Home Health Care

26 November 2014
by Stephen Silva

When it comes to thinking about home health care, you probably only think of those options being available for older individuals who are ill and unable to take proper care of themselves. However, if a family has a child that has an illness or a condition that makes it impossible for the family to care for the child full-time, they turn to pediatric home health care. If you are an LPN and are considering a career in home health care, you may want to consider the pediatric field. The following is more information regarding this rewarding career.

A Rewarding Career Helping Children and Families

There are very few careers that reward you with watching a child smile, laugh, and play. If you are an LPN that wants to dedicate your career to watching children with special needs, going into the pediatric home health care field is something you may want to look into.

When you work in the pediatric home health care field, you will be doing a number of different duties to provide support to disabled or ill children and their families. You can help preserve the child's quality of life, help them be comfortable, and help them be a child. Here are a number of different duties you may need to take on if you decide to go into pediatric home health care:

Personal care such as grooming, bathing, dressing, etc.

Feeding tube care

Tracheotomy assistance and care

Dressing changes

Care with a ventilator

Meal preparation and feeding

Skin care and oral hygiene care

Assisting with mobility and any necessary transfers from bed to chair

Taking vitals

Implement different plans of care

Attend to the child's disability, illness and any therapy

Making sure the child and the family have the necessary home medical equipment, medications and all supplies

Help to educate and train the family, along with providing additional support

Illnesses and Disabilities that Need Home Health Care

There are a number of different illnesses and disabilities that may require the need for home health care, including the following:

Developmental and mental illnesses. Some of these illnesses are severe enough where a qualified trained adult must be in the presence of the child at all times. In cases where families don't have that ability, they may require the need for home health care.

Illnesses where a full recovery is expected. Some children who are ill but are expected to fully recover may be able to be cared for in their home with the aid of an LPN.

Terminal illnesses. Some children who are terminally ill may be spending their last weeks inside of their home, and the family may need medical care to help them from time to time.

Look into this rewarding career if you feel that working with children is something that interests you. Talk to a group like Visiting Nurse Group for more information about these kinds of jobs.

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About Me

I work in senior home care as a nursing assistant, and I can say whole heartedly that I have formed some amazing relationships with my elderly patients. One thing that I have struggled with the most is trying to find ways to allow seniors to retain their independence. Some elderly individuals have mobility problems, dementia difficulties, and serious illnesses that keep them from getting around like they used to. In many cases, I have to help seniors with their most basic needs due to safety reasons. Thankfully, simple meal decisions, outdoor walks, and clothing choices can help an individual retain a sense of independence. So can rollators, toilet rails, and mobility scooters. For patients with dementia, large clocks, weekly calendars, and note boards can offer assistance. If you have an elderly family member in your home, let me help you find the perfect balance between proper care and independence.